A THORNBURY and Yate MP has complimented a modernised post office ahead of its busiest time of the year.

Mr Steve Webb visited the Yate Sodbury Post Office on Friday, November 28 to see how preparations were going in the build up to Christmas after its refurbishment.

He called the modernisation of the post office an “investment in the community’ and learnt about the new longer opening times, numbers of staff available and its new personal banking initiatives.

He was also put through his paces behind the counter during his visit, learning about the new parcel sizes that will see post office customers be able to send a lot more for less this Christmas.

Mr Webb said: “I am very pleased to visit the team here at Yate Sodbury Post Office, and to see just how well prepared they are for Christmas.

“It is also particularly heartening to see that the Post Office, which has made a commitment to remaining on high streets and in town centres across the UK, has developed its personal banking offering, giving people a credible and trustworthy alternative to high street banks.”

The post office at South Parade will open for an extra half an hour every morning and an extra half an hour every Monday and Tuesday in the weeks before Christmas, as well as an extra half an hour on Saturdays.

The branch will also have plenty of staff on hand to help customers get the service they need as easily as possible.

The branch has been refurbished and now boasts a private consultation room where customers can speak to specialist advisors about the post office's range of financial services products including mortgages and the new current account products.

The changes made are part of a multi-million pound post office investment programme that is seeing thousands of branches across the UK modernised.

The branch manager Kevin Devonald said: “The team at Yate Post Office are pleased with our new working environment, especially the new office where customers can talk privately with our financial specialist about their savings and insurance needs. We have planned well for Christmas and are looking forward to serving the community during the busy month of December.”

Post office regional manager Martin Rouse added: “We’re delighted with the changes that have been made at Yate Sodbury Post Office and are confident that customers will be just as pleased.”